Left speechless, no retort
09-24-07, 03:30 PM
#26
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uh, guys
the whole point here is that the driver asked nicely... The OP was ready with a mean response, but couldn't use it in the face of a decent, if misguided, question. Insults, confrontational remarks, and passive-aggressive sarcasm do nothing positive when there's a chance for a short lesson.
"The lane's too narrow to share."
the whole point here is that the driver asked nicely... The OP was ready with a mean response, but couldn't use it in the face of a decent, if misguided, question. Insults, confrontational remarks, and passive-aggressive sarcasm do nothing positive when there's a chance for a short lesson.
"The lane's too narrow to share."
09-24-07, 08:39 PM
#28
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Sounds like you were both pretty cool about it. In defense of drivers, the driver doesn't know how long he will be following you. Could be 20 feet or 20 blocks. People behind him start to tailgate and swerve around him. If he hits his brakes, HE's likely to get honked at for doing nothing but being safe.
Another part of the problem is the ridiculous size of vehicles these days. They take a lot of energy to regain momentum when they are slowed. Plus they're all auto transmissions these days. It's nice to see a revival of the compact car (sort of). Bottom line: Driving is about 1000 times more aggravating than cycling, but drivers make the choice to be a part of the problem.
Another part of the problem is the ridiculous size of vehicles these days. They take a lot of energy to regain momentum when they are slowed. Plus they're all auto transmissions these days. It's nice to see a revival of the compact car (sort of). Bottom line: Driving is about 1000 times more aggravating than cycling, but drivers make the choice to be a part of the problem.
09-24-07, 10:58 PM
#29
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09-24-07, 11:04 PM
#30
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09-25-07, 08:32 AM
#32
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Al
09-25-07, 08:43 AM
#33
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I took the comment to be sincere, fairly civil, and and not sarcastic, otherwise I would have unloaded on him.
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Il faut de l'audace, encore de l'audace, toujours de l'audace
1980 3Rensho-- 1975 Raleigh Sprite 3spd
1990s Raleigh M20 MTB--2007 Windsor Hour (track)
1988 Ducati 750 F1
09-25-07, 09:09 AM
#34
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Agreed with what others have said.
However one thing to consider is the drivers point of view. They are only thinking of themselves and that they could safely pass you if you moved over and they likely could. What they don't consider is that once you move over there is a line of vehicle/drivers behind them who may not pass safely.
I think this partly contributes to hostile reactions from drivers, thinking only of themselves passing you and not you riding in a manner that considers all other drivers passing you.
Al
However one thing to consider is the drivers point of view. They are only thinking of themselves and that they could safely pass you if you moved over and they likely could. What they don't consider is that once you move over there is a line of vehicle/drivers behind them who may not pass safely.
I think this partly contributes to hostile reactions from drivers, thinking only of themselves passing you and not you riding in a manner that considers all other drivers passing you.
Al
Honestly this guy sounds like one of the problem drivers for a quick reply. If it wasn't for the cellphone I'd say my comment would be right, but with it he is one of those who could be distracted for a split second and you end up hurt or dead.
09-25-07, 09:17 AM
#35
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09-25-07, 09:24 AM
#36
ROM 6:23
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09-25-07, 09:30 AM
#37
genec
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The real question is why motorists have such a hard time realizing this too. Or better yet, why motorists cannot jump on a bike for a simple errand run... SIGH.
09-25-07, 09:38 AM
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We've talked about it. And talked about it, and talked about it some more.
And yet every other thread around here is some fellow wondering why on earth a cyclist would get honked out merely for riding around in the middle of the lane blocking traffic.
Maybe you guys are just bored.
And yet every other thread around here is some fellow wondering why on earth a cyclist would get honked out merely for riding around in the middle of the lane blocking traffic.
Maybe you guys are just bored.
09-25-07, 09:45 AM
#39
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What rock did you crawl out from under.
But hey, I don't want to be seen as a troll, so I'll offer my own advice about how to respond to motorists in this scenario:
"Well, I'm a member of a small online cult where we've all talked ourselves into believing that interfering with motor traffic is in our best interest. I can't begin to understand why you don't see the logic in that. You stupid cager."
09-25-07, 09:47 AM
#40
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The one where we end questions with question marks.
But hey, I don't want to be seen as a troll, so I'll offer my own advice about how to respond to motorists in this scenario:
"Well, I'm a member of a small online cult where we've all talked ourselves into believing that interfering with motor traffic is in our best interest. I can't begin to understand why you don't see the logic in that. You stupid cager."
But hey, I don't want to be seen as a troll, so I'll offer my own advice about how to respond to motorists in this scenario:
"Well, I'm a member of a small online cult where we've all talked ourselves into believing that interfering with motor traffic is in our best interest. I can't begin to understand why you don't see the logic in that. You stupid cager."
09-25-07, 10:06 AM
#42
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09-25-07, 10:25 AM
#43
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The enormous majority of drivers treat me very well.
Al
09-25-07, 10:26 AM
#44
genec
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We've talked about it. And talked about it, and talked about it some more.
And yet every other thread around here is some fellow wondering why on earth a cyclist would get honked out merely for riding around in the middle of the lane blocking traffic.
Maybe you guys are just bored.
And yet every other thread around here is some fellow wondering why on earth a cyclist would get honked out merely for riding around in the middle of the lane blocking traffic.
Maybe you guys are just bored.
Where do you ride on such roads.... or does nothing of the kind exist in Orange county? They sure exist here, and some are even marked as Bike Routes... being the best way through an area. Being perhaps the ONLY way through an area.
09-25-07, 10:28 AM
#45
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09-25-07, 10:36 AM
#46
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09-25-07, 10:40 AM
#47
ROM 6:23
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The one where we end questions with question marks.
But hey, I don't want to be seen as a troll, so I'll offer my own advice about how to respond to motorists in this scenario:
"Well, I'm a member of a small online cult where we've all talked ourselves into believing that interfering with motor traffic is in our best interest. I can't begin to understand why you don't see the logic in that. You stupid cager."
But hey, I don't want to be seen as a troll, so I'll offer my own advice about how to respond to motorists in this scenario:
"Well, I'm a member of a small online cult where we've all talked ourselves into believing that interfering with motor traffic is in our best interest. I can't begin to understand why you don't see the logic in that. You stupid cager."
09-25-07, 11:13 AM
#48
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...and if there is no other place to ride on that road or if there is not an alternate road... what again is your suggestion? You never answered that, ever.
The real issue, though, is the definition of "no other choice". My overwhelming experience with the VC cult here on BF is that many of you define "no other choice" as "Anything less than a perfectly paved 20 foot lane with no intersections, driveways,signals, or stop signs". IOW, the VCer has talked himself into the necessity of "taking the lane" in pretty much every concievable situation.
09-25-07, 11:16 AM
#49
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Genec, don't bother. If I recall right 6J is a bad-ass tough cyclist with the skills to ride inches from the pavement edge and is not bothered by very close passes.
One does not need to be "bad-ass" or "tough" to ride a straight line. And "very close passes" are another one of those topics where the VCers depart from reality, IMO. When anything closer than four feet is a "close pass" then yeah, the street has to be 25 feet wide in order to avoid "close passes". Typical circular reasoning.
09-25-07, 11:21 AM
#50
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Another typical A&S tactic.
One does not need to be "bad-ass" or "tough" to ride a straight line. And "very close passes" are another one of those topics where the VCers depart from reality, IMO. When anything closer than four feet is a "close pass" then yeah, the street has to be 25 feet wide in order to avoid "close passes". Typical circular reasoning.
One does not need to be "bad-ass" or "tough" to ride a straight line. And "very close passes" are another one of those topics where the VCers depart from reality, IMO. When anything closer than four feet is a "close pass" then yeah, the street has to be 25 feet wide in order to avoid "close passes". Typical circular reasoning.
I do however believe that when riding 20mph+ one needs to leave ~2ft from curb edge and one should expect 3ft of passing clearance. (That is the law where I live) I am generally OK with 2ft from outside edge of handlebar to outer most portion of vehicle. More is needed if a large truck like vehicle.
I can side-by-side share 16' wide lanes with most motor vehicles.
Do you really think my position in the below photo link is 'in the middle of the lane' and unnessarily blocking traffic?
https://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...3&d=1182534791
Al
Last edited by noisebeam; 09-25-07 at 11:28 AM.